Ex-students win federal lawsuit against TSU

Claimed they suffered retaliation after criticizing Slade, other school leaders

Published 5:30 am, Friday, August 1, 2008

Photo: Steve Campbell, Houston Chronicle

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Attorney Patrick J. Gilpin talks to the media recently during jury selection for the federal lawsuit filed by former Texas Southern University students, from left, William Hudson, Oliver Brown and Justin Jordan. A jury agreed with their contention that they suffered retaliation for publicly criticizing the school's administration. less

Attorney Patrick J. Gilpin talks to the media recently during jury selection for the federal lawsuit filed by former Texas Southern University students, from left, William Hudson, Oliver Brown and Justin ... more

Photo: Steve Campbell, Houston Chronicle

Ex-students win federal lawsuit against TSU

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Texas Southern University officials kicked out three students and had them arrested in retaliation for their public criticism of administrators, a federal jury decided Friday.

"Some justice has been done," said Patrick Gilpin, a former TSU professor and lead lawyer for the students. " ... While this award will not give them back the time they lost in their lives, they will have a reconciliation with TSU."

The lawsuit claims TSU officials targeted the students after they distributed unflattering materials about Slade and other leaders.

In early testimony of the two-week trial, Brown said he was paid $5,000 as an FBI informant to tape conversations with college officials during a corruption investigation. The students have been credited with helping to expose a spending scandal that led to a plea bargain with Slade, who agreed to repay $130,000, and the criminal conviction of former chief financial officer Quintin Wiggins, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The jury had to decide whether free speech rights of Hudson and Brown were violated when they were disciplined following their public protest. While Hudson was suspended and Brown was placed on probation, Jordan's punishment was reversed on appeal.

Jurors also had to determine if Hudson and Jordan should be compensated for their allegations of malicious prosecution and false arrest.

Jurors decided that Hudson should receive $75,000; $65,000 should go to Brown; and Jordan should get $50,000.

Slade and others were dismissed from the case, leaving the regents and the four present and former campus employees and administrators as defendants.

Friday's decision deemed that the individuals liable for violations against the students are Wiggins; Willie Marshall, TSU vice president and dean of students; police officer Deneen Ford; and Keefus Falls, the former director of human resources. The regents were not held liable for actual damages.